Rob Smyth's Blog, page 18

New Zealand v England: third men’s cricket Test, day one – as it happened

Matthew Potts and Gus Atkinson took three wickets apiece as England fought back well on an entertaining first day

35th over: New Zealand 121-1 (Latham 54, Williamson 8) Latham reaches his fifty with a gorgeous drive through mid-off when Atkinson overpitches. He barely celebrates at all, just a quick raise of the bat, and he’ll be desperate to convert this into a first Test century in two years.

That dream almost dies when he is dropped by Duckett for the second time today. It was a really tough chance, diving low to the left at third slip, and Duckett couldn’t hang on.

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Five key takeaways for England after their series success in New Zealand

Brydon Carse’s ban has been the making of him, while Shoaib Bashir still represents an Ashes gamble

Unless you’re Australia, New Zealand is not an easy place to win a Test series. India haven’t done so since 2008-09; England hadn’t managed it since 2007-08. The relatively modest praise for England’s achievement suggests New Zealand are condescended to in defeat as well as victory. If the first Test was a flawed slugfest, the second was a clinical demolition. England put a good New Zealand team under so much pressure – listen to how often the captain, Tom Latham, used that phrase – that eventually they could take no more. In both games England perceived an early batting collapse as an invitation to go harder, a common occurrence in the first Bazball summer and a sign, when it comes off, of a team in rude health. It was also telling that, for the first time in a while, England’s players looked like they were having all kinds of fun.

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Tottenham 3-4 Chelsea: Premier League – as it happened

Cole Palmer scored two penalties, the second a Panenka, as Chelsea came from 2-0 down to win a pulsating game

“Caicedo will invert in possession, playing next to Lavia,” says our man Jacob Steinberg. “Fernandez pushes on and it becomes a 3-2-5.”

The way we describe formations is outdated, isn’t it? I know this sounds a pretentious but you really need to list two formations – one with and without the ball. <Two Banks> Ideally 4-4-2 and 4-4-2 </Two Banks>

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England thrash New Zealand by 323 runs: second men’s cricket Test, day three – as it happened

Joe Root made his 36th Test century as England crushed New Zealand inside three days to seal a fine series victory

Some local colour for you, thanks to Ali: the locals call the divots “scallops.” And the players are out, off we go!

The pitch experts gaze at the sweet New Zealand dirt: “There are some divots in the pitch, which means the pitch is drying out.”

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New Zealand v England: second men’s cricket Test, day two – as it happened

Gus Atkinson took a hat-trick and Jacob Bethell made 96 on a dominant day for England in Wellington

And another one! The nightwatchperson trudges off with a 26-ball duck after being trapped profoundly leg before wicket!

That’s lovely from Carse, similar to the one that was too good for Kane Williamson yesterday (but turned out to be a no ball), and it’s too good for Blundell as well, doing just enough to beat his defensive push and clipping the top of off.

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Australia v India: second men’s Test, day one – as it happened

Mitchell Starc took career-best figures of 6 for 48 as Australia rolled India for 180 on the first day in Adelaide

We’re underway…

The anthems, then the commencement bell is rung by Tim May. A name that rings out in concert with this ground and with South Australian. Bowled good offies for Australia, 42 not out in the one-run loss to West Indies on this ground, and won the Shield final here in his last first-class match.

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Australia v India: second men’s Test, day one – live

Updates from the day-night clash at Adelaide OvalAny thoughts? Get in touch with an email

We’re underway…

The anthems, then the commencement bell is rung by Tim May. A name that rings out in concert with this ground and with South Australian. Bowled good offies for Australia, 42 not out in the one-run loss to West Indies on this ground, and won the Shield final here in his last first-class match.

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New Zealand v England: second men’s cricket Test, day one – as it happened

Harry Brook’s spectacular 123 and a ferocious burst from Brydon Carse were the highlights of a scintillating first day in Wellington

31st over: England 158-4 (Brook 70, Pope 43) Pope jabs at Smith and edges this far short of Latham at second slip. He gets the next ball away, back cutting efficiently to the fence.

So, this medium-term No3, who should it be?

Ben Stokes Technically suited but his brain whirs far too much in the field, even when he doesn’t bowl, so he needs a rest.

Joe Root Doesn’t want to bat there, vulnerable to the new ball and especially extra bounce.

Harry Brook Still too soon, especially in Australia with the extra bounce

Ollie Pope Far better at No6

Jamie Smith Too soon even if he doesn’t keep wicket, never mind if he does.

Jacob Bethell Too soon against India and Australia, plus he’s not in the best XI at the moment.

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England beat New Zealand by eight wickets: first men’s cricket Test, day four – as it happened

The outstanding Brydon Carse flattened New Zealand before Jacob Bethell led England’s victory charge

51st over: New Zealand 166-6 (Smith 10, Mitchell 32) The dangerous Brydon Carse bounds in like a hungry panther. Smith pings him for two consecutive fours, one guided cleverly between slip and gully.

50th over: New Zealand 157-6 (Smith 2, Mitchell 32) Stokes starts with a loosener as the Barmy Army riff through a full-throated Jerusalem. Stokes’ hair is Compton Brylcreem with touch of mullet. A couple of singles gets the Kiwis up and running.

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New Zealand v England: first men’s cricket Test, day three – as it happened

Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse took three wickets apiece to leave England on the brink of an emphatic victory

77th over: England 332-5 (Brook 140, Stokes 41) Stokes nails a cover drive off O’Rourke … but Kane Williamson pulls off a cracking dive to his right to collect before firing a throw at the striker’s end. The England captain is forced to turn back and launch himself to make his ground.

76th over: England 329-5 (Brook 138, Stokes 41) Nathan Smith, very impressive on day two, is in from the other end. Brook is quick into his work, though, driving through point for his first boundary of the morning. Then comes the immaculate forward defence, quite possibly my favourite shot of his (a bit boring, I know). I reckon he could thrive at No 3.

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